Wave of layoffs in the NFL: After the end of the regular season, several head coaches have to vacate their positions in the US professional football league on “Black Monday”. After the Atlanta Falcons and the Cleveland Browns, the Las Vegas Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals also responded to their weak season.
Jonathan Gannon is over after three years in Arizona, and Pete Carroll has been relieved of his duties in Las Vegas. Both had disappointed with a 3:14 record. A few hours earlier, it was also announced that Raheem Morris in Atlanta and Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland had retired.
Browns again only last in the AFC North
Despite the final spurt with two wins, Stefanski, who worked for Cleveland for six years, was once again responsible for the early end of the season: with five wins and twelve defeats, the Browns took last place in the AFC North for the second year in a row.
“He is a great football coach and an even better person. We greatly appreciate his tireless effort and commitment to our organization, but our results over the past two seasons have been unsatisfactory,” team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam said in a statement.
Andrew Berry, who came to Cleveland with Stefanski in 2020, will retain his position as general manager. “Andrew will immediately begin a thorough search for an outstanding new head coach and leader for our football team,” said the Browns, who want to build on “a promising young core” on the team.
Pete Carroll fails badly in Las Vegas
Pete Carroll only took over at the Raiders at the beginning of the season, but missed the play-offs as they were bottom of the AFC West. “We appreciate him very much and wish him and his family all the best,” Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a statement. Accordingly, general manager John Spytek and co-owner and quarterback legend Tom Brady will now lead all activities, including the search for a successor.
For Carroll (74), the oldest head coach in the league this season, this could be the abrupt end to a long coaching career. The American has been coaching at the college and NFL level since 1973, and has been head coach since 1994. He experienced his most successful time from 2010 to 2023 with the Seattle Seahawks. In 14 seasons with the team, Carroll achieved a record of 137 wins with 89 losses and one tie. The highlight was winning the Super Bowl in 2013.
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